There's much to like in this dreamy full-length debut by multi-instrumentalist Alex McGowan and vocalist Regina Dannhof. Maybe it's McGowan's moody bass lines and buttery trip-hop atmospheres. Or maybe it's Dannhof's anest... more &raquohetizing voice, which moves from moan to coo to whisper and back again. Put simply, the Starseeds make trip-hop of the Portishead-Hooverphonic-Sneaker Pimps variety, only they do it very quietly, like the Cocteau Twins on Quaaludes. There's a spacy, ambient aesthetic at work on Parallel Life that eschews pop hooks in favor of a smooth-textured, almost narcoleptic flow--and that's a compliment. Dannhof has a wonderfully ethereal voice that floats above McGowan's softly burbling synths and languid beats on such standouts as the title track, the very pretty "Behind the Sun," and the more densely mixed "Heavensairportcoffeeshoprestaurant." For most, Parallel Life will seem like a relaxing disc of the chill-out kind, but, with its hidden treasures of sound, it's one that will also reward deep listeners. --Steve Landau&laquo less

Synopsis

Amazon.com

There's much to like in this dreamy full-length debut by multi-instrumentalist Alex McGowan and vocalist Regina Dannhof. Maybe it's McGowan's moody bass lines and buttery trip-hop atmospheres. Or maybe it's Dannhof's anesthetizing voice, which moves from moan to coo to whisper and back again. Put simply, the Starseeds make trip-hop of the Portishead-Hooverphonic-Sneaker Pimps variety, only they do it very quietly, like the Cocteau Twins on Quaaludes. There's a spacy, ambient aesthetic at work on Parallel Life that eschews pop hooks in favor of a smooth-textured, almost narcoleptic flow--and that's a compliment. Dannhof has a wonderfully ethereal voice that floats above McGowan's softly burbling synths and languid beats on such standouts as the title track, the very pretty "Behind the Sun," and the more densely mixed "Heavensairportcoffeeshoprestaurant." For most, Parallel Life will seem like a relaxing disc of the chill-out kind, but, with its hidden treasures of sound, it's one that will also reward deep listeners. --Steve Landau

CD Reviews

And From Starseeds Grows Unbelievable, Lush Music

Christopher R. Cicatelli | bethesda, md | 05/28/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"i have been searching for what i like to call "perfect music"...i've been looking for years, and have indeed found some excellent music along the way {Sigur Ros, Air, Portishead, Aphex Twin, Cure, Morcheeba...the list does go on for quite a while}...but i think i may have actually found what i've been searching for all these years: enter The Starseeds. i have heard a little about the Starseeds, but mostly my information came from simple research on Amazon, and other music related sites. well, i made the purchase of the "Parallel Life" release and i am now lost in pure listening heaven. this is music of the most chilled...the most mellow...the most groove induced vibe you will ever hear. yeah, it's electronic, it's trip-hop, it's downbeat, it's got ambient undertones, and infectious, gliding vocals. it is what i have been searching for: the perfect music. two people involved here too...master programmer...master vocalist. every song is fantastic! the quality of the production is wonderful, and the musicianship on each individual song is molded out of pure audio-craftsmanship. i'm tellin you...this album is entitled "Parallel Life" for a reason...these sounds are from our alternate being...our "Parallel Life" one could say. lush soundscapes, held together by thick grooving bass lines...infectious beats floating upon a sea of ambient tones and waves...space lounge flares and pulses dissolving into infinity...intoxicating vocals floating through time. it is what i have been searching for, all of these years: the "perfect music": enter The Starseeds..."

A parallel life

Rick M. Rotundo | loveland, ohio, usa | 09/09/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This music, especially "a parallel life" and "behind the sun" are exceptional examples of esoteric music that allows one to really transcend the limitations of this tough reality. They create surreal mental imagery that is superior and I have been listening to Space and ambient music for over 30 years. A rare and unique addition to any serious music lover's collection that involves celestial sounds and euphoric beats."

The Starseeds are forever among us!

Rick M. Rotundo | 08/08/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I don't feel like I can elaborate much more on what has already been said by almost every other reviewer here, except that Parallel Life is a manifestation of utter musical perfection. If you listen carefully, you will hear sounds you never caught the previous time around, the previous one before that, etc, etc. The highly dreamy, complex rhythms and soundscapes coupled with Regina's breathy, unearthy vocals will transport its listener to a faraway galaxy in the midst of unfathomable glory and awe. The music is so spacey and cosmic, yet utterly warm and sensual - a highly unique effect that no other artist can create. While the album is now scarce, buying it used here is worth every penny, as is purchasing the (currently) in print double-cd version which contains their brilliant follow-up album along with it. In a nutshell: Words like "beautiful" do not even come close to doing this album descriptive justice by a lightyears distance."

The Best

Rick M. Rotundo | 03/29/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The music is unusual, the vocals are etherial, the beat is exotic. As a former musician, I wish I could have come up with it - a genre of its own. I agree with the prior review. Buy it."

Ambient textured chillin' tunes, 100x listen all da way thru

BRITT9325@aol.com | San Francisco, CA USA | 06/17/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is the bomb! It is an atmospheric textural cd, that's downtempo witha twist. The female vocals send you to the heavens!!! All of the songs are good and this is a great cd to listen to over and over again. There's also 2 starseeds songs on the compilation Feed Your Head 3. Enjoy!"